Fourth of July performances, activities in Utah

Cast members of the sketch comedy show "Studio C" clown around off-camera during a Studio C filming session. The group will perform at the Stadium of Fire on July 4, 2014. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU)

PROVO — “So what are you going to do?”

It’s a question the members of "Studio C" have been asked a time or two since it was announced that the BYUtv sketch comedy cast would appear at this year’s Stadium of Fire.

"Studio C" debuted in 2012 and recently wrapped up its fourth season, but performing live before 40,000 spectators at LaVell Edwards Stadium is a whole new ballgame for the group.

“We’re actually really excited about it,” cast member Matt Meese said. “It’s anyone’s guess as well as ours how well it’s going to work for a stadium this big, but we’re going to go out there and do what we think will be fun because it’s seemed to work so far.”

Matthew Meese prepares to film a sketch on the comedy show "Studio C." The group will perform at the Stadium of Fire on July 4, 2014. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU)

The cast will join headliner/country music star Carrie Underwood, host J.R. Martinez, the Stadium of Fire dancers and other musical acts during the 8 p.m. performance on July 4.

“It would be a great show just with Carrie Underwood there, and it will be so enhanced with 'Studio C' there,” said Emory Cook, communications manager for Stadium of Fire.

The role of "Studio C" will be to “transition,” according to the show’s producer, Jared Shores. The cast will take the stage repeatedly over the course of the night as the set is changed for each act.

Stadium of Fire is part of America's Freedom Festival at Provo, a celebration intended to “strengthen the traditional American values of family, freedom, God and country,” according to the organization’s website.

Stephen Meek, Stacey Harkey, Whitney Call and Matthew Meese perform a sketch on the comedy show "Studio C." The group will perform at the Stadium of Fire on July 4, 2014. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU)

When selecting this year’s performers, Cook said, the festival selected "Studio C," whom he referred to as “the Beatles of Provo,” based on shared values.

“We’re a family-friendly sketch comedy show, so I think it’s a natural fit,” cast member Jason Gray said. “It’s not like we were like, ‘Oh, now we have to write clean comedy.’”

When asked what about their performance will be most appealing to ticketholders, Call turned to her fellow cast members and producer with a sly smile and asked, “Are we shootin’ stuff into the audience?”

Shores said the cast will do what it always does in providing a “unique experience."

Members of the cast of "Studio C" film a comedy sketch. The group will perform at the Stadium of Fire on July 4, 2014. (Jaren Wilkey, BYU)

“We’re doing sketches for Stadium of Fire that we’ll never do ever again,” Shores said.

“It lives and dies that night,” Meese added.

“And,” Call quickly reminded, “we shoot stuff into the audience.”

Tickets for Stadium of Fire are still available. They start at $35 each and are available online at freedomfestival.org or by phone at 801-422-2981.

Provo’s festivities will find company among many other Fourth of July celebrations throughout the state. Here is a list of other family-friendly celebrations scheduled throughout Utah listed by county. Note: This is not an all-inclusive list.

Thousands gather for the Fourth of July fireworks at Sugarhouse Park in 2009. (Deseret News archives)

Beaver County

Milford: July 4, 7 a.m., Independence Day 5K Run/Walk, $10; Main Street parade, 10 a.m.; food, games and entertainment after the parade at Pavilion Park; fireworks at dark (435-387-2711)